New parents often notice their newborn’s eyes rolling back or appearing unfocused, a common observation that can lead to concern or curiosity. While sometimes unsettling to witness, this phenomenon is frequently a typical aspect of infant development. This article explores why newborn eyes exhibit these movements.
Normal Newborn Eye Movements
Newborn eye movements often appear uncoordinated, with eyes drifting upwards or seeming unfocused. These common movements are usually harmless and part of a newborn’s early development. Rapid eye movements can also be observed during sleep, sometimes under closed eyelids. Until about six months of age, a baby’s eyes may roll or show unusual movements as their visual system matures. This means their eyes are still learning to work together to focus, track, and recognize objects.
An infant’s eyes are not yet well-coordinated. This can result in eyes moving in different directions, wandering to the sides, or appearing to cross. These movements are normal for most babies and typically self-correct as they grow. Around three months, as eye muscles strengthen, babies generally improve at focusing and tracking objects.
Reasons for Eye Rolling
The involuntary eye movements observed in newborns stem from several physiological factors. A primary reason is the immaturity of their visual system; the muscles controlling eye movement are not yet fully coordinated. The brain is still learning to process visual information and direct precise eye movements. Newborns also have blurry vision and struggle to locate distinct targets, causing their eyes to wander.
Rapid eye movements are a characteristic feature of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, which newborns experience for a significant portion of their sleep cycle. During this active sleep stage, babies’ eyes move rapidly beneath their closed eyelids, and they may exhibit twitching or jerking movements of their limbs. Additionally, the brain areas responsible for stable eye gaze, particularly brainstem reflexes, are still developing in infants.
In some instances, brief, involuntary muscle jerks, including eye movements, can be attributed to a benign condition known as benign myoclonus of infancy. These jerks typically occur during sleep or drowsiness and are not associated with other concerning symptoms. They are normal in children under two years of age and often resolve as the central nervous system matures.
When to Consult a Doctor
While eye rolling is a normal part of newborn development, certain signs indicate a need for medical consultation. Seek professional advice if eye rolling becomes more frequent, prolonged, or worsens over time. Also consult if eye movements are accompanied by symptoms such as stiffening, jerking, unresponsiveness, or unusual crying. Feeding difficulties, lethargy, or fever alongside eye rolling also require immediate medical attention.
A lack of visual development is also a red flag. If a baby does not make eye contact or show signs of visual tracking by two to three months of age, discuss this with a pediatrician. By three months, infants should be able to follow a moving toy from one side of their body to the other. If one or both eyes constantly turn inward or outward, or consistently roll or turn in one specific direction without correction, a medical evaluation is advisable.